Having just returned from Bonaire, we were really disappointed in our pictures. Couldn't get the color quality because my straight arm system on my Ikelite housing wouldn't allow the light to aim on my subjects close up. I'd like to get a ball and socket system that would allow me to position the D50 strobe directly above my camera lens. Who can help me.?

Try this link. They have worked well for me.

http://reefphotovideo.com/

Thank you. I'll take a look.

i just spent $210 for the deluxe ikelite ball arm (the one with the smaller ball) - definitely is way more adjustable (than the straight arm) but hard to say if it will make any difference in the pictures

Ikelite # 408662

with this system and a DS50, you can add a clamp that will hold a model (aiming) light and also there is room for the digital slave sensor if you are using one (and you probably should be)

the ball arm is alot better looking too if that counts;)

Bob, We just received the arm system you suggested from Helix and have it put together with the slave sensor and the aiming light. It looks great. Now, if only I was on Bonaire to test it out. Thanks for the part number suggestion. I think it will make a world of difference in the color of our pictures, now I can shine light on my subject instead of above my subjects. Thanks again.

cool

i think if shooting macro you just want to get the flash head beside/near the lens port - backscatter is minimal at macro distances...you can always try the diffuser if backscatter is a problem...

on a wider shot - maybe then you need to "aim" the strobe...

the aiming light will probably be more useful as a modeling light that helps with focus in dim light situations...

good luck,

I've got my new arm on my housing with my DS50 strobe and aiming light. Have been practicing taking close ups of our dog. My shots are pitiful. I have a hot spot from the aiming light and the flash goes off on the camera and strobe and it still is not fully lit. It must be the shutter lag on my camera. I'm disgusted I can't figure this out. Nikon 7600 sucks.

Can someone tell me what setting to set my EV controller for shooting close ups/macro with my Nikon 7600, substrobe DS50? Maybe that's what I'm doing wrong.

Try a faster shutter speed, like 1/250, to eliminate the hot spot from the aiming light.

marge,

do you have a manual EV controller or a slave sensor? if it is a manual EV controller you can try setting the controller closer to maximum EV (4, 4.5, or 5).

if you have a slave sensor, it may be the pre-flash of the camera that is the problem, there is a switch inside the slave sensor to disable pre-flash and apparently that tends to increase output a bit.

manual EV and camera TTL are not compatible so be sure to set the camera to manual flash level (vs TTL) if applicable

i think my ikelite D50 housing has a built in manual controller and if i shoot in manual flash level and pick one of the higher levels i can totally over expose about anything...

ok...no TTL for the 7600...would appear the only "hope" is to max the EV...

let us know;)

marge,

looks like the flash output is affected by the shooting/scene mode selected on the 7600. try selecting different "scenes" i.e. "macro" or "night-time" and see what you get. don't worry about f-stop or shutter speed - let the scene selected dictate those and hope one of the scenes allows for a greater flash output...

OMG, You guys are the greatest. That's what I was doing wrong. I have the EV controller set at 1.5. I never even looked at that thing. I really didn't even know what it was for. I just took some pretty good photos of the dog and it's night time here. THANK you, thank you.

Now to practice, practice, practice.

that's great;)

the 7600 is not TTL flash and does not support manual exposure modes (setting F-stop ans shutter yourself) - it appears...that puts the strobe completely under control of the manual EV controller - i guess...

so for anyone else looking to buy an inexpensive point and shoot - get one with external flash/TTL flash capability and also selected exposure modes...

or practice, pratice, pratice;)

ps - was not until after two trips did i realize my slave sensor was a slave sensor and not an EV controller (the knob is sensitivity control - not EV) - READ THE INSTRUCTIONS

I can't thank every one for the suggestions. I think I got it. I've been practicing using different settings. I finally got the results I wanted by chosing Indoor/party mode and setting the EV controller to 4.5/5 as was suggested. Now the dog is fully lit. I can't wait to try it on the fishies of Bonaire. 309 days and counting.

Take a look. I still have some focus issues I'm workinhttp://www.kodakgallery.com/BrowsePhotos.jsp?&collid=34565438106.927320127206.1175905088242&g on, but at least Duke is fully lit.

picture #1 is pretty good - shows the depth that the flash creates...

I'm going to use this camera until I get the functions all figured out. I have had a Canon S1 IS for several years, but just purchased this Nikon 7600 for diving. I think it was a mistake because of the focus issues and blurring problems that I don't have with the Canon. Too much money invested with the Ikelite housing to just ditch and buy a new one with housing. So as I said, Practice, practice, practice.